He was pure as a lamb of God when the penitent woman gave him to me;—’tis his faith in me has made him what he now is.

Peter.

[Without heeding him.] The child must out! Slay it, slay it in the Queen’s arms,—that was King Skule’s word in Oslo!

Margrete.

Oh shame, oh shame!

Peter.

A saint might do it unsinning, at my father’s command! My father is King; for the great king’s-thought is his!

Townsmen.

[Knocking at the gate.] Open! Come out, you and the church-robber, else will we burn the convent down!

King Skule.